A good play

Whatever creativity is, it’s part of the solution of a problem — B. Funari

Why being creative is essential to problem solving and how that creativity is inspired by the experience of play?

Immediately come to mind images of start-up and innovative companies offices where one can spot pool tables, slides and trampolines.

Many studies of psychology and neurology applied to the act of play recognize its key importance in the evolution of the species, unveiling little tiles of a vast mosaic that it is not completely discovered yet.

Research, as we all know, very often tends to follow the path of the problem, all those situations where something is lacking or creating suffering; play, on the other hand, is something closer to the end of the solution.

What do I mean by that? Every kid instinctively learns how to play, how to find activities that nourish curiosity without resistance.

Unfortunately with time passing, more oppositions to play arrive and this activity rather than spontaneous is gradually suffocated until we barely feel the need for it.

But if we go back to the evolutionary stage when play appears, practically since the very beginning, it is quite obvious that this mix of activities represents a bridge to acquire important and needed development achievements:

• handling

• exploring — walking

• hide — defend

• talk

• relate

• express emotions

• negotiate

and many others.

Researchers of play split the subject into different, distinctive acts, depending on the type or the purpose. There’s body play, with no purpose, as jumping, running etc; object play, where the use of things is involved; explorative play, discovering the surroundings; social play, carried out with others; solitary play, usually connected to the use of imagination, sometimes even as a medium to relax.

There have been some interesting discoverings in this field; one shows that on the right side of the brain of people involved in social play there is an activity that tend to be in harmony with what is shown in the same area of the brain of other participants. This social brain connections can continue with the years, the more these experiences occur, becoming more and more sophisticated.

Another important aspect of learning through play is shown in experiments with rats; a group of rats is divided in two, one allowed to play, the other one forbidden, when reunited in a situation of danger all escape and hide — instinctive reaction of defense -. After that the group of non-players stay hidden eventually dying whereas the group of players, after assessing the situation, is capable of finding a way to explore and escape.

Now that we’ve heard a little about it, it’s no big surprise that the size of the brain is influenced by the amount of playing time.

But this play will be more powerful if it is shaped on the interests of the subjects involved. When this happens the mind is truly focused, with high results of attention and success.

Do you recall which games you played when you were a kid? And your favourite ones? Try to go back with your mind at that and find connections onhow to use those experiences in your everyday, present life. You’ll see how gradually the days will be enlightened by new discoveries, creativity … and fun!